Chief Engineer

Kepler is on an audacious mission: to bring the internet to space. Founded in 2015, our ambition is to provide internet connectivity in space, whether in LEO, MEO, GEO, or beyond. With an expanding base of early customers and our first 23 satellites in orbit, Kepler is continuing to grow and expand its most important asset – the Team!

As a Kepler US Chief Engineer, you will own technical execution to grow and nurture our US Government partnerships and maintain our upward trajectory of success and growth.

In this role, you will be responsible for the successful technical execution of a satellite’s development program ensuring successful program start-up, execution, technical subcontract management, and customer satisfaction. You will serve as the primary leader with responsibilities for adherence to technical performance requirements as well as be accountable for program costs and schedule. You will oversee the preparation and coordination of the technical design, build, integration, testing, launch, commissioning, and on-orbit operations.

You will be a key leader, partnering closely with our Program, Engineering, and Operations organizations to manage technical execution of these imperative efforts from program kick-off through operations. Additionally, you may be a key member of proposal teams for any opportunities that involve the development, modification, or operations of space vehicles.

Responsibilities:

• Leads the design and development of high-level technical solutions, concepts, and technologies from inception through development, launch, and operations.
• Establish and executes a well-defined and technically sound baseline for the program.
• Develop comprehensive technical plans, identifies risks and opportunities, and provides accurate resource estimates.
• Adheres to technical performance requirements while maintaining cost and schedule.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to ensure all aspects of the program are technically sound and aligned with customer requirements throughout execution.
• Develop and refine supplier Statements of Work (SOW), requirements baselines, and compliance documents.
• Works collaboratively with all functional organizations in guiding decisions to meet program objectives.
• Holding the technical teams accountable and making clear decisions on scope change, performance specifications, and being able to communicate clear recommendations to the Program Management on direction.
• Identifying barriers to successful program execution, helping the teams determine and finalize mitigation strategies for key risks, and escalating as appropriate.
• Interface with US Government customer as the technical point of contact for customer interactions including program management reviews, customer bi-weekly reviews, and major program reviews.
• Clearly communicating technical program status and key performance indicators to stakeholders in the most effective forums.
• Maintains a working knowledge of space industry developments, markets, cutting edge technologies and associated trends.

Requirements:

• 15+ years of directly related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Bachelor's degree in an engineering or scientific field.
• Experience working with commercial and Federal customers.
• Strong designer, with an ability to take an idea from a notional concept and develop it into a product or service that has technical credibility and is responsive to a business case and market.
• Strong technology leader with a proven track record in innovation strategy within new product development, strategic planning, goal setting, process development and budgeting.
• Experienced managing and mentoring individuals and technical teams within an agile environment.
• Experience in P&L ownership, margin improvements and cross-functional team building.
• Excellent communication, leadership and strategic thinking abilities with a problem-solving aptitude.
• Strong ability to convey technical topics in easy-to-understand business terms and work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Intellectual horsepower with the ability to identify new opportunities, drive clarity, create focus and make tough decisions in complex and dynamic contexts.
• Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to present with credibility a technical or business case to executive leadership and Board.
• Must be a U.S. person.

Bonus Points:

• Master's degree or PhD in technology or a business discipline.
• Current and/or active US DOD clearance.